Kanfenggou UHP Metamorphic Fragment in Eastern Qinling Orogen and Its Relationship to Dabie-Sulu UHP and HP Metamorphic Belts, Central China

In the Central Orogenic Belt, China, two UHP metamorphic belts are discriminated mainly based on a detailed structural analysis of the Kanfenggou UHP metamorphic fragment exposed in the eastern Qinling orogen, and together with previous regional structural, petrological and geochronological data at the scale of the orogenic domain. The first one corresponds to the South Altun-North QaidamNorth Qinling UHP metarnorphic belt. The other is the Dabie-Sulu UHP and HP metamorphic belts. The two UHP metamorphic belts are separated by a series of tectonic slices composed by the Qiniing rock group, Danfeng rock group and Liuling or Foziling rock group etc. respectively, and are different in age of the peak UHP metamorphism and geodynamic implications for continental deep subduction and collision. Regional field and petrological relationships suggest that the Kanfenggou UHP metamorphic fragment that contains a large volume of the coesite- and microdiamond-bearing eclogite lenses is compatible with the structures recognized in the South Altun and North Qaidam UHP metamorphic fragments exposed in the western part of China, thereby forming a large UHP metamorphic belt up to 1000 km long along the orogen strike. This UHP metamorphic belt represents an intercontinental deep subduction and collision belt between the Yangtze and Sino-Korean cratons, occurred during the Paleozoic. On the other hand, the well-constrained Dabie-Sulu UHP and HP metamorphic belts occurred mainly during Triassic time (250-220 Ma), and were produced by the intracontinental deep subduction and collision within the Yangtze craton. The Kanfenggou UHP metamorphic fragment does not appear to link with the DabieSulu UHP and HP metamorphic belts along the orogen. There is no reason to assume the two UHP metamorphic belts as a single giant deep subduction and collision zone in the Central Orogenic Belt situated between the Yangtze and Sino-Korean cratons. Therefore, any dynamic model for the orogen must ac-count for the development of UHP metarnorphic rocks belonging to the separate two tectonic belts of different age and tectono-metamorphic history.     

大别—苏鲁区UHP变质岩构造学及流变学演化

在大别—苏鲁区的30个关键位置,对UHP/HP变质岩进行详细构造解析、大比例尺(1∶10000)制图并在区域尺度上进行观察和对比,以便揭示它们的构造几何学、变形条件和流变学演化。初步的研究结果指出,广泛出露的UHP/HP榴辉岩相岩石形成一个巨大的UHP/HP变质带,提供了一个观察中朝与扬子克拉通之间三叠纪大陆深俯冲-碰撞带过程的窗口。观察的显微构造及组构指出,UHP/HP变质带内岩石变形机制,无论是在榴辉岩相阶段还是在榴辉岩相后阶段,都是以塑性流变为主,其力学行为和组构特征都受组成矿物的强度、强度差等流变学特征,以及变形物理环境如压力、温度、应变速率、差异应力和流体含量等的制约。在俯冲/碰撞带内的变形分解作用于岩石圈不同层次及不同的构造阶段都曾发生,而且,在不同尺度上,应变局部化形成具高应变的剪切带网络,且一般显示典型的布丁-基质或碎斑-基质构造及流变学型式。根据构造、岩石、变质作用及地质年代学资料,借助于岩石圈流变学基本原理,提出一个大别—苏鲁区UHP/HP变质岩石流变学演化的工作模式,它涉及早期扬子与中朝克拉通间三叠纪(~250~230Ma)大陆深俯冲/碰撞、UHP/HP变质岩形成,相继深埋岩石的多期折返。特别强调UHP/HP岩石向地壳表层的折返,主要是构造过程,地面侵蚀作用是次要的。     

The Discovery of Diamond from the Zhimafang Pyrope Peridotite of the Sulu UHP Metamorphic Zone, East China, and Its Geological Implications

From Donghai County of Jiangsu Province to Rongcheng County of Shandong Province on the southern border of the Sulu orogen, there exposes an ultramafic belt, accompanied with an ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic zone. It can be further divided into the Xugou belt (the northern belt), and the Maobei-Gangshang belt (the southern belt). One grain of diamond has been discovered from the Zhimafang pyrope peridotite in the southern belt using the heavy mineral method. The diamond grain is 2.13 mm × 1.42 mm × 0.83 mm in size and weighs 9.4 mg. The occurrence of the diamond suggests that the Zhimafang pyrope peridotite xenolith is derived from the lithospheric upper mantle. The tectonic emplacement mechanism of the pyrope peridotite xenoliths in granite-gneisses is obviously different from those in kimberlite. The Sulu orogen was located on the active continental margin of the Sino-Korean craton in the Neoproterozoic. The relatively cold and water-bearing oceanic crustal tholeiite slab subducted beneath the lith     

Location of Triassic Tectonic Suture Between Collided Sino-Korean and Yangtze Cratons in Dabie-Sulu Region, China

INTRODUCTIONTheageofultrahigh-pressuremetamorphism(UHPM)andhigh-pressuremetamorphism(HPM)hasbeendeterminedat24OMato2loMabyseveralchronologicalmethods(Lietal.,1998;Maruyamaetal.,l998iAmesetal.,l9961Hack-erandWang,l995;Johnetal,,1994).Theseagedatare-f1ecttheTriassicobliquecollisionbetweentheSino-KoreanandYangtzecratons.ThermobarometricestimatesoftheUH-PMandHPMintheDabie-SuluregionshowthatthecoldcontinentalcrustmaterialoftheYangtzecratonwasunder-thrust,alongthesuture,northwardtoma…     

Linking continental deep subduction with destruction of a cratonic margin: strongly reworked North China SCLM intruded in the Triassic Sulu UHP belt

The collision between the North and South China cratons in Middle Triassic time (240–225 Ma) created the world’s largest belt of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphism. U–Pb ages, Hf isotope systematics and trace element compositions of zircons from the Xugou, Yangkou and Hujialing peridotites in the Sulu UHP terrane mainly record a ~470 Ma tectonothermal event, coeval with the Early Paleozoic kimberlite eruptions within the North China craton. This event is interpreted as the result of metasomatism by fluids/melts derived from multiple sources including a subducting continental slab. The peridotites also contain zircons with ages of ~3.1 Ga, and Hf isotope data imply a component ≥3.2 Ga old. Most zircon Hf depleted mantle model ages are ~1.3 Ga, suggesting that the deep subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the southeastern margin of the North China craton experienced a intense mid-Mesoproterozoic metasomatism by asthenospheric components, similar to the case for the eastern part of this craton. Integrating data from peridotites along the southern margin of the craton, we argue that the deep lithosphere of the cratonic margin (≥3.2 Ga old), from which the Xugou, Yangkou and Hujialing peridotites were derived, experienced Proterozoic metasomatic modification, followed by a strong Early Paleozoic (~470 Ma) tectonothermal event and the Early Mesozoic (~230 Ma) collision and northward subduction of the Yangtze craton. The Phanerozoic decratonization of the eastern North China craton, especially along its southern margin, was not earlier than the Triassic continental collision. This work also demonstrates that although zircons are rare in peridotitic rocks, they can be used to unravel the history of specific lithospheric domains and thus contribute to our understanding of the evolution of continental cratons and their margins.     

苏鲁变质带北部的岩石构造单元及结晶块体推覆构造

虽然苏鲁变质带北部的超高压变质岩石的类型及其特征与大别山超高压带相似,但是要划出与大别山相对应的岩石构造单元是困难的。详细的区域地质、岩石学、同位素年代学及地球化学的研究已将超高压带的西界大致圈定在牟平断裂至米山断裂的范围内。特别需要提出的是,在荣成超高压变质岩石分布区的南北两侧,出露有3 种不同成因的麻粒岩,即榴辉岩化的麻粒岩;由超高压变质岩经高压升温变质作用生成的麻粒岩;以及未经过榴辉岩相变质的麻粒岩。它们有规律地成带分布。这些麻粒岩带以及在荣成地区出露的未经过麻粒岩相叠加变质的超高压变质带,各自都有着完全不同的变质历史,并且都以深大韧性剪切带为其边界。由此笔者将苏鲁变质带北部由南向北划分为海阳所变质地块(榴辉岩化扬子陆块基底变质单元)、荣成变质地块(超高压变质单元)、威海变质地块(麻粒岩相叠加变质的超高压构造岩片)、昆嵛山边界杂岩带。这些来源于地壳深层的结晶块体是超高压带形成和演化的产物,在后来的进一步碰撞挤压中,这些来源于深层而就位于中上地壳水平的结晶块体,有可能发生了与薄皮构造机制(thin-skin thrust)类似的构造过程。它们有如一系列的推覆体挤压叠置,使华北和华南陆块最后挤压在一起。     

苏鲁造山带地壳上地幔结构层析成像研究

扬子与华北板块在三叠纪的俯冲碰撞形成了著名的苏鲁超高压造山带,其板块碰撞接触关系一直是热点问题.利用国家台网中心64个省台记录的1 079个近震事件的10 922个P波到时和251个远震事件的11 931个P波到时数据,采用远近震联合反演的层析成像方法对苏鲁地区进行了地壳上地幔速度结构反演.结果显示,研究区内两个低速异常区分别对应山东半岛西部的华北板块地幔上隆区和壳幔相互作用强烈的长江中下游成矿带地区.在地幔300 km深度之下出现的高速异常体可能代表了早中生代扬子与华北板块碰撞之前俯冲拆沉的古特提斯洋板块.传统观点的扬子板块岩石圈向北俯冲不明显,华北板块表现为向东南俯冲的高速特征.华北板块俯冲以苏鲁造山带中部的北纬35°为界,分为南北两种俯冲样式.北部俯冲不明显,华北板块停滞在郯庐断裂带以西;南部则表现华北板块向东南陡倾俯冲到苏鲁造山带之下.      

大别—苏鲁区残余超高压构造及其动力学意义

根据构造学及岩石学研究并结合已有同位素年代学资料地质意义分析证明, 现在观察到的大别-苏鲁超高压变质带的区域构造框架, 主要是在三叠纪中朝与扬子克拉通碰撞期后(200~170 Ma) 伸展体制和角闪岩相条件下形成的. 残余的同碰撞及超高压构造只保留在较大的榴辉岩及其他超高压变质岩体内部. 以湖北省麻城县乘马岗和何家湾、安徽省岳西县碧溪岭及江苏省东海等地区的榴辉岩为例, 分析描述了具弱面理的块状榴辉岩、超高压剪切带和A型褶皱等残余超高压构造. 强调指出, 只是这些早期的构造记录才反映大陆碰撞阶段的构造环境及相对运动学特征. 据此提出一个运动学模型, 表示三叠纪(240~210 Ma) 扬子克拉通向北俯冲于中朝克拉通之下并与其发生斜向碰撞的动力学格局.      

大别山低级变质岩的构造背景

大别山南北两侧的浅变质岩是碰撞造山以前洋壳俯冲造山阶段的重要组成部分。木兰山片岩或张八岭群是俯冲的洋壳;苏家河群、信阳群和佛子岭群是由洋壳俯冲形成的海沟沉积,并因俯冲过程中的前进变形而形成增生楔;杨山煤系和梅山群是石炭纪弧前盆地沉积,并因俯冲过程中的前进变形而被增生楔逆掩。宿松群是扬子大陆被动边缘沉积,不是俯冲造山带的成员。因洋壳俯冲形成的弧和弧后盆地可能已被新生界沉积物掩盖。高压-超高压变质带是碰撞造山后期从深部折返的外来体。高压-超高压变质带正好处于洋壳和增生楔之间,破坏了早期洋壳俯冲造山带的完整性,使得洋壳俯冲造山阶段的特征被破坏,因而不易辨别。俯冲造山阶段应为奥陶纪到泥盆纪,碰撞造山阶段应从二叠纪开始。     

大别山低级变质岩的构造背景

大别山南北两侧的浅变质岩是碰撞造山以前洋壳俯冲造山阶段的重要组成部分。木兰山片岩或张八岭群是俯冲的洋壳;苏家河群、信阳群和佛子岭群是由洋壳俯冲形成的海沟沉积,并因俯冲过程中的前进变形而形成增生楔;杨山煤系和梅山群是石炭纪弧前盆地沉积,并因俯冲过程中的前进变形而被增生楔逆掩。宿松群是扬子大陆被动边缘沉积,不是俯冲造山带的成员。因洋壳俯冲形成的弧和弧后盆地可能已被新生界沉积物掩盖。高压—超高压变质带是碰撞造山后期从深部折返的外来体。高压—超高压变质带正好处于洋壳和增生楔之间,破坏了早期洋壳俯冲造山带的完整性,使得洋壳俯冲造山阶段的特征被破坏,因而不易辨别。俯冲造山阶段应为奥陶纪到泥盆纪,碰撞造山阶段应从二叠纪开始。     

Multi-Layered Low-Angle Ductile Detachment System in Dabie-Sulu UHPM and HPM Belts,China

INTRODUCTIoNTheDabie-Suluregion,Chinahasbeenrecognizedasthelargestultrahigh-pressuremetamorphic(UHPM)(peakp>2.7GPa)andHPMbeltsintheworld,andattractedexten-siveinterestfrominternationalgeoscientists.AwealthofpublicationsexistsabouttheoccurrenceofUHPMindexmin-erals,thegeochronology,metamorphicPTpaths,andthelarge-scaleconceptualtectonicevolutionofUHPMandhigh-pressuremetamorphic(HPM)rocksintheDabie-Suluregion.Morerecentoverviewsaregiven'byErnstetal.(1995),Liouetal.(l996),andHackere…     

High-pressure/low-temperature metamorphism in northern Hubei Province, central China

Abstract The Qinling–Dabie accretionary fold belt in east-central China represents the E–W trending suture zone between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons. A portion of the accretionary complex exposed in northern Hubei Province contains a high-pressure/low-temperature metamorphic sequence progressively metamorphosed from the blueschist through greenschist to epidote–amphibolite/eclogite facies. The 'Hongan metamorphic belt'can be divided into three metamorphic zones, based on progressive changes in mineral assemblages: Zone I, in the south, is characterized by transitional blueschist–greenschist facies; Zone II is characterized by greenschist facies; Zone III, in the northernmost portion of the belt, is characterized by eclogite and epidote–amphibolite facies sequences. Changes in amphibole compositions from south to north as well as the appearance of increasingly higher pressure mineral assemblages toward the north document differences in metamorphic P–T conditions during formation of this belt. Preliminary P–T estimates for Zone I metamorphism are 5–7 kbar, 350–450°C; estimates for Zone III eclogites are 10–22 kbar, 500 ± 50°C.
The petrographic, chemical and structural characteristics of this metamorphic belt indicate its evolution in a northward-dipping subduction zone and subsequent uplift prior to and during the final collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons.     

The crust and upper mantle of the Sulu UHPM belt

All results from integrated geophysical investigations in the Sulu region are summarized in this paper, trying to reconstruct the Sulu UHPM processes. New seismic S-wave tomographic results suggest a velocity-abnormal zone occurs beneath the Sulu crust, revealing detailed upper mantle structures that high-velocity lumps within the abnormal zone are sequentially distributed beneath the bottom of the asthenosphere. These high-velocity lumps might represent delaminated eclogites or residuals of the subducted oceanic plate. Based on integrated interpretation of the geophysical data, we propose a working model for tectonic reconstruction of the Sulu UHPM processes, which can explain the crust and upper mantle structures of the area. The involved tectonic processes are related to north-eastward escaping of the Sulu terrane, subduction and delamination cycles of the Dabie-Sulu oceanic plate, and post-orogenic lithospheric thinning and magma underplating. The UHPM rocks are believed to have syn-subduction delaminated down to the bottom of the asthenosphere during 245-180 Ma, and the delamination process seemed smooth and nearly continuous without extensive violence.     

A new concept on tectonic correlation between Korea, China and Japan: Histories from the late Proterozoic to Cretaceous

The Dabie–Sulu collision belt in China extends to the Hongseong–Odesan belt in Korea while the Okcheon metamorphic belt in Korea is considered as an extension of the Nanhua rift within the South China block. The Hongseong–Odesan belt divides Korea's Gyeonggi massif into northern and southern portions. The southern Gyeonggi massif and the Yeongnam massif are correlated with China's Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks, respectively, while the northern Gyeonggi massif is part of the southern margin of the North China block. The southern and northern Gyeonggi massifs rifted from the Rodinia supercontinent during the Neoproterozoic, to form the borders of the South China and North China blocks, respectively. Subduction commenced along the southern and eastern borders of the North China block in the Ordovician and continued until a Triassic collision between the North China and South China blocks. While subduction was occurring on the margin of the North China block, high-P/T metamorphic belts and accretionary complexes developed along the inner zone of southwest Japan from the Ordovician to the Permian. During the subduction, the Hida belt in Japan grew as a continental margin or continental arc. Collision between the North and South China blocks began in Korea during the Permian (290–260 Ma), and propagated westwards until the Late Triassic (230–210 Ma) creating the sinistral TanLu fault in China and the dextral fault in the Hida and Hida marginal belt in Japan. Phanerozoic subduction and collision along the southern and western borders of the North China block led to formation of the Qinling–Dabie–Sulu–Hongseong–Hida–Yanji belt.     

MORPHOLOGY AND INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF THE KAMENSK AND GUSEV ASTROBLEMES

The Kokchetav and Dabie Shan complexes are typical examples of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic complexes (UHPM) and are important units of the largest suture zones within the Eurasian continent. The Dabie Shan complex is located in the center of a long Permian-Triassic high-pressure (HP) belt between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons. Other members of this belt are the Sulu region of of NE China, the Imjingang belt in Korea, the Sangun and Marginal Hida belts in Kyushu, the Spassk zone in the Sikhote-Alin of the Russian Far East, and the Bikou, Animaqing, Ailaoshan, and Lancang belts in China bounding the western margin of the Yangtze craton. The Kokchetav complex is located in the center of the largest Early Paleozoic HP belt in Asia, which includes the North Qilian complex, the Kekesu and Atbashi zones of the Tien Shan, and the Aktyuz and Makbal areas in the North Kyrgyz Range.

The structure of the Kokchetav complex is interpreted as a mega-melange zone that consists of seven tectonic units separated by tectonic thrusts or faults. There are many similarities between the Kokchetav and Dabie Shan tectonic units. Principal differences relate to the rocks of coeval island-arc series abundantly exposed in the Kokchetav area, but absent in the Dabie Shan, and to the ongoing subduction and island-arc magmatism in Kokchetav after the collision and UHP metamorphism compared to the final collision after UHP metamorphism in the Dabie Shan.

The Caledonian Kokchetav complex formed in the Early Paleozoic, whereas the Indosinian Dabie Shan complex formed in the Early Mesozoic; however, both complexes are characterized by a close succession of events and the occurrence of a Late Proterozoic protolith. In both cases magmatic events occurred in 150-m.y. intervals. Retrograde stages, cooling histories, and exhumation processes are similar for both complexes.

Comparison of mineral assemblages in those complexes indicates higher temperature and pressure in the Kokchetav peak assemblages. The best containers for preserved UHP mineral assemblages are metacarbonate rocks and zircon and garnet from metapelites and felsic rocks in both regions. The Dabie Shan UHP assemblages are better preserved than the Kokchetav ones, which has to do either with their higher temperature or with specific kinetics. Oxidation conditions deduced from mineral distributions, mineral chemistry, and composition of fluid inclusions indicate the higher oxygen potential in the Dabie Shan than in the Kokchetav rocks.

The comparison allows us to conclude the following:

1. The small size of sheets and blocks of UHPM rocks supports a model for reverse flows within a subduction-accretionary wedge or tectonic exhumation of thin sheets, but not uplifting of large blocks.

2. The preservation of coesite and diamond, and the presence of thin reactionary rims (primarily in the Dabie Shan), provides evidence for a very short time of retrograde reactions and high velocity of block uplifting. Thus, three exhumation stages are accepted: (1) superfast uplifting; (2) rapid uplifting up to the sole of the continental crust; and (3) slow uplifting within the continental crust. In the Kokchetav complex, the first stage is absent.

3. For the Dabie Shan we suggest a complex scenario implying two-stage subduction and subsequent collision. Comparison with the Kokchetav complex shows that UHP metamorphism is not likely to have resulted from a collision, but the latter was responsible for the superfast exhumation of thin sheets of UHPM rocks from depths of over 100 km.     

浅变质岩在示踪大别—苏鲁造山带大陆板块俯冲与折返过程中的意义

中国大别-苏鲁造山带为大陆板块俯冲形成的碰撞造山带,该带北缘和内部产有原岩时代为新元古代-晚古生代的浅变质岩。这些浅变质岩对应于扬子板块北缘前寒武变质基底和扬子板块北缘古生代大陆架沉积物,形成过程于印支期扬子板块向北俯冲过程中的刮削作用密切相关,与大洋板块俯冲过程中刮削形成的加积楔具有类似的动力学过程。对大别-苏鲁造山带浅变质岩的深入研究,不仅有助于揭示大陆板块俯冲过程中高压-超高压岩石形成与折返过程,而且确定了扬子板块与华北板块之间的缝合线位置位于大别造山带北淮阳带的北部和苏鲁造山带的五莲-蓬莱群的北侧。     

中国大陆科学钻探CCSD-PP3钻孔地幔岩的尖晶石相部分熔融证据

CCSD PP3超镁铁岩表现为高 Mg 和 Cr,低 Ca 和 Al 特征,是中国东部和超高压变质带上极其罕见的亏损地幔岩,通过地球化学和矿物学和 Re-Os 同位素研究发现岩石来自古元古代岩石圈地幔,并在地幔浅部尖晶石相条件下发生部分熔融,最近一次部分熔融作用发生在中-晚元古代,后经岩石圈厚度加大、拆沉或深俯冲过程,岩石转变为石榴石橄榄岩。     

Two Discrete UHP and HP Metamorphic Belts in the Central Orogenic Belt, China

INTRODUCTION Anew ultrahigh pressure ( UHP) metamorphicbelt ,the South Altun-North Qaidam-North QinlingUHP metamorphic belt ,has been recently discoveredand widely discussed by different workers (Yang J Set al .,2003 ,2002 ,2001 ,2000 ,1998 ;Zhang J Xetal .,2002 ,1999 ; Zhang G et al .,2001 ; Hu et al .,1996 ,1995 ,1994) . Detailed studies have also beencarried out onthe Dabie-Sulu UHP/ HP metamorphicbelt inthe central orogenic belt (COB) of China (Gaoet al .,2002 ;Sun et al …     

苏鲁造山带浅变质岩的成因及其大地构造意义

苏鲁造山带超高压变质带内部及其北缘,出露仅经过绿片岩相变质作用的浅变质岩系。通过对该浅变质岩的区域分布、地质特征及地球化学的综合研究,表明这些浅变质岩系与大别-苏鲁造山带大陆板块俯冲存在密切的成因关系,为扬子板块俯冲过程中被刮削下来的构造残片,构成大陆板块俯冲过程中形成的构造加积杂岩。在此基础上,厘定了苏鲁造山带的构造成因模型,并对苏鲁造山带的东延问题进行了讨论。     

Metamorphic patterns and SHRIMP zircon ages of medium‐to‐high grade rocks from the Tongbai orogen,central China: implications for multiple accretion/collision processes prior to terminal continental collision

The Qinling‐Tongbai‐Dabie‐Sulu orogenic belt comprises a Palaeozoic accretion‐dominated system in the north and a Mesozoic collision‐dominated system in the south. A combined petrological and geochronological study of the medium‐to‐high grade metamorphic rocks from the diverse Palaeozoic tectonic units in the Tongbai orogen was undertaken to help elucidate the origins of Triassic ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphism and collision dynamics between the Sino‐Korean and Yangtze cratons. Peak metamorphic conditions are 570–610 °C and 9.3–11.2 kbar for the lower unit of the Kuanping Group, 630–650 °C and 6.6–8.9 kbar for the upper unit of the Kuanping Group, 550–600 °C and 6.3–7.7 kbar for the Erlangping Group, 770–830 °C and 6.9–8.5 kbar for the Qinling Group and 660–720 °C and 9.1–11.5 kbar for the Guishan complex. Reaction textures and garnet compositions indicate clockwise P–T paths for the amphibolite facies rocks of the Kuanping Group and Guishan complex, and an anticlockwise P–T path for the granulite facies rocks of the Qinling Group. Sensitive high‐resolution ion microprobe U–Pb zircon dating on metamorphic rocks and deformed granite/pegmatites revealed two major Palaeozoic tectonometamorphic events. (i) During the Silurian‐Devonian (c. 440–400 Ma), the Qinling continental arc and Erlangping intra‐oceanic arc collided with the Sino‐Korean craton. The emplacement of the Huanggang diorite complex resulted in an inverted thermal gradient in the underlying Kuanping Group and subsequent thermal relaxation during the exhumation. Meanwhile, the oceanic subduction beneath the Qinling continental arc produced magmatic underplating and intrusion, leading to granulite facies metamorphism followed by a near‐isobaric cooling path. (ii) During the Carboniferous (c. 340–310 Ma), the northward subduction of the Palaeo‐Tethyan ocean generated a medium P/T Guishan complex in the hangingwall and a high P/T Xiongdian eclogite belt in the footwall. The Guishan complex and Xiongdian eclogite belt are therefore considered to be paired metamorphic belts. Subsequent separation of the paired belts is inferred to be related to the juxtaposition of the Carboniferous eclogites with the Triassic HP metamorphic complex during continental subduction and exhumation.